Series Unfortunate Events Complete Volumes by Snicket Lemony Pseud (1 results)

Brett Helquist (illustrator). 8vo., 13 vols; decorative publisher's boards, each with a differing coloured spine and central illustration to the upper cover by Brett Helquist; decorative endpapers with built-in Ex Libris (all remaining blank); illustrated throughout with enigmatic drawings in line; occasionally lightly bumped at spine tips; tiny scuff mark to spine of Vol 3; Vol 7 with publisher's overlaid price sticker to lower board; else near-fine copies all; with Vols 5 and 6 retaining the original publisher's wraparound bands (with 'Beware!' and 'Help!' showing to the spines); Vol 8 with the reversible 'spoof' dustwrapper as issued (one tiny nick to lower panel). First UK editions all, with number lines 1-10. Daniel Handler was, from a young age, inspired by macabre works for children, and cites Roald Dahl and Edward Gorey among his many influences. He had previously published two novels for adults before being encouraged to write a work of fiction for children by his editor, Susan Rich. The resulting books were adapted by him from a mock-gothic novel intended for adults, and focus on the lives of three orphaned children who are placed in the care of a murderous and rather mad relative who regularly attempts to kill them and take their inheritance. Each of the books end with a letter 'to the editor' which gives a clue to the next book, and which are at times typed, handwritten, torn, smudged or redacted. The books were perhaps most famously made into a 2004 film starring Jim Carey in the villainous role. A fabulous set.